Posts Tagged With: help for writers

I’ve traveled with many, many items stuffed in my carry- on. The iPad seems to hold all the answers for a mobile traveler. Here’s what I discovered:

The Good: The iPad is marvelous for travel. It’s small, light and I can carry it with me at all times. (I was in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia so I kept the iPad in a gallon zip lock bag to protect it from the humidity).

Like a paper based notebook, The iPad turns on as soon as the cover opens, so making notes in Pages was easy. I opened it up, made a few notes, and closed it. For someone who previously traveled with a Mac Book, this instant access is like a tiny miracle.

I recommend the Pages app for ten dollars because even though the journal apps are fun, they aren’t as easily transferrable to the main computer. And so much of what we write is destine to our main lap top. I was also able to add photos to the journal entries to keep track of where and what I was doing.

The on screen key board takes getting use to, but I became fairly proficient. (Why? Because once I add a stand alone key board I have effectively created a lap top, which was not the point). The iPad works on busses, planes, trains, most modes of transportation (not motor bikes, I observed that a passenger must limit herself to texting by phone while perched on the back of a motorbike).

I loved the long battery life and I loved carrying one device that included email, all my reading material and all my writing notes and observations. I was able to download two books from Amazon and read them immediately while in transit thus continuing the vacation attitude of satisfying every whim, every want – right now.

A year ago the iPad was ubiquitous and if possibly, it’s more so now. Tourists carried iPad’s in Vientiane, played games on them while waiting at the boarder in Laos, read books on the plane to Bangkok, took photos in Angkor Wat. This seemed to be the new traveler accessory, considerably more flattering than a waist pack.

The Bad: The auto fill function is bitch when you are typing in foreign place names.

The auto fill will also thwart your efforts to employ polysyllabic words, so there is a great deal of back spacing involved during data entry. And the foreign words and phrases are not found in the spell checker.

The Ugly: The worst thing about the iPad is that though I could upload all my photos into it during the trip , and I could organize them during travel time, when the photos were ultimately upload into my lap top, all the categorization was lost, the albums did not synch and the photos ended up just consolidated into one huge event. So don’t waste your time organizing photos on the iPad. Work to correct all those weird place names the auto correct “fixed.”

Would I take it again? I still love the iPad for my books and reading collections. But if I really want to work, conduct on line classes, real correspondence and work on long writing projects, I still need the lap top.

On the other hand, if I need to keep all my electronics with me at all times, then the iPad is pretty awesome.

I am migrating this blog to be part of NewbieWriters.com Until we have complete lift off, both blogs will publish simultaneously. Sorry Panda.

You already know how fraught with danger the average joke is. The inability to tell a joke is a cliché in of itself. Did you hear the one about? It brings to mind the stereotype sales person, over dressed, over excited, and filled with exclamation points, trying too hard. Or worse, people like my lovely mother who cannot tell a joke without wandering off the subject in order to elaborate on unrelated points and descriptions only to return to the main story not only derailed but missing key points that would, in ordinary circumstances, help the punch line make sense.

I was the first woman to burn my bra — it took the fire department four days to put it out.

~ Dolly Parton

One rule I’ve learned about humor is that the harder you try, the less funny you will be. I tell my public speaking students that unless they are very, very funny, forget the joke. But if they have a recent amusing antidote, tell that, it won’t be hilarious, but mildly entertaining can accomplish the same end as humor – to bring people together, to make them laugh.

Mark Twain wrote: “The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story is strictly a work of art — high and delicate art — and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it.”

Aside of American boosterism, Twain’s advice is sound, if we stick with what we are good at, and Americans are good at stories, we will succeed.

“Humor is just another defense against the universe.”

~ Mel Brooks

Light humor, like adding a funny icon to your PowerPoint presentation, is just fine. Or you can make a cute, off-hand remark to liven up a presentation. Make an insider comment that only your audience members will understand, it can be humorous as well as a bond between you and your audience.

A topical comment within a report or an email can be effective, if the report or posting is not meant to last. A topical reference in an annual report won’t work in your favor. It will age out and look not only silly but irreverent. You do not want to write papers or reports or articles that quickly become irrelevant — that would be a waste of time.

“Well I thought it was funny”

~ Stephen Corbert

The essential element of humor is to not work too hard at it. If it is NOT your nature to write wittily or humorously, you may want to just pass on the whole humor thing in your correspondence. Be sincere, be clever, be yourself, but don’t work to be funny, the odds that the whole endeavor will backﬁre are very, very high.

Save yourself. If you really want to be funny, just quote other people.

I am migrating this blog to be part of NewbieWriters.com Until we have complete lift off, both blogs will publish simultaneously. Sorry Panda.

From the abbreviated OED (the only version I can afford) the first listing for the word is:

Novel – Something new, a novelty

The second definition is – Any of a number of tales or fictional narratives making up a larger short work,

The third definition is – A fictitious prose narrative or tale of considerable length . . . representing character and action with some degree of realism.

A novel needs to be new, larger than a short work and offer some degree of realism. This is where the complaint, “the characters weren’t believable” comes from. This is where we get up in the idea that our plots and action need to make sense.

And we’re right. They do.

But more important, the novel, the characters and action, need to make sense within the world of that novel.

So when we suggest a degree of realism that does not mean you can’t create a fabulous fantasy world and populate it with two-headed beings who always disagree. It does not mean you can’t re-create OZ. What the definition of real, both by the OED and in your reader’s head, means is your world needs to make sense, and you need to make the rules of your world fairly clear at the onset in order for the reader to believe the ending.

The art in how you do this. Don’t launch into a lengthy description of the rules of your world. Do not give the reader pages of back story, how the world was invented, who was responsible. And beware the lengthy dialogue during which the space ship engineers says, “Well Jim, as you know, during the process of energy transference at light warp speed, the individual may or may not turn into a creature with two disagreeing heads.”

The art of world creation is to weave in the points of the world in between the action. Pay attention, allow the reader to figure out a few features as the story carries them through, and surprise the reader as you set up the plot.

Novels are something new. That’s what you get to create. But ironically, even something new needs to fit into our old way of understanding the world.

I am migrating this blog to be part of NewbieWriters.com Until we have complete lift off, both blogs will publish simultaneously. Sorry Panda.

The questions a publisher asks is, can I invest in this work and person? It is the writer’s job to reassure the publisher that yes, he or she can successfully invest in you and your book.

The Advance from a smaller publisher is small, like $25 to $50 but the author will earn more in royalties

It usually takes about a month to get back to an author

There are a million small publishers in the world – so a writer CAN find them and find the right fit.

Small Publishers have followings so that readers really do read “everything” that a publisher like Rainstorm press puts out.

Historically, Publishers have always sold to bookstores not to readers. Like publishers, author need to speak directly to their readers, so your book is not just a book, it is a blog, twitter feed, Facebook conversation, appearances, workshops, conferences, library readings.

And yes, even with a small, boutique publisher, your book can make it onto the shelves of a brick and mortar store.

We say, check out the boutique publishers, and see what they can do for you and your book.

I am migrating this blog to be part of NewbieWriters.com Until we have complete lift off, both blogs will publish simultaneously. Sorry Panda.

One of our earliest episodes for Newbie Writers Podcast was to define and figure out what the heck is a writer’s platform. Since this is still a troubling term for writers, here are a couple ideas to help you build your own platform:

A platform is what you stand on to make your point. So what is your point?

An easy way to think of this is: Why are your writing this book?

Non Fiction – the point and platform is often the theme of the book.

From this platform and theme articles, blogs, web site, twitter posts and audience segmentation will all flow. Think of the platform as representing your passion and beliefs, it’s what you stack all the social media and other books on. The bigger the platform, the easier it is for people to see you as you stand a head above the crowd.

Fiction – What is a central theme? Child abuse? A discovery journey? Find a solid theme that you are willing to discuss and expand upon for at least a couple of years, and you have your platform.

For instance, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin to express her idea that if she was devastated over the loss of her child, wouldn’t a slave woman feel the same? The story was about motherhood, the platform was the call to end slavery.

Once you find that theme, you can write articles blogs etc. about that theme and the tie it to your fiction book that addresses the platform issue.

Children’s books– Your platform can be reading is important and your book is an example of fine children’s reading.

Or the children’s book touches on a popular issue or theme. Again, be cautious of being trendy, you have to discuss this subject forever, it helps if you like it or believe in it.

Memoir, can be regionally targeted, time targeted, issue targeted. Whatever group you discuss will be the target group who will relate to your story, their shared concerns will be your platform.

And a caution about a book and a platform – how much do you like it? How committed are you? If you are passionate about a cause, or the subject matter of your non fiction book, you will love the endless conversations, the lecturing, the book signings. But if you wrote a book because it was trendy, you will soon tire of the subject – your platform – and you’ll become bored.

Sometimes I cannot ignore the signs, even if you work really, really hard.

The first sign was my friend Beth Barany just published her excellent book Twitter for Authors and she asked me to review it.

Then my client Julia Stege, who is on the verge of launching her first book, pinned me down (and oh lord that’s something else to manage) and offered to help me with whatever social media eludes me.

And that was, again, Twitter. As if a little bird told them.

For good information, reference Beth’s book and Julia’s Web site.

If you’re flummoxed about how to approach the damn thing, stay here, it won’t take long.

Once I realized that Twitter was really just a very large cocktail party juiced by illegal steroids, it made it easier to answer one of the first questions in Twitter for Authors: What kind of relationship do you want with Twitter?

Up until now, I’ve treated Twitter as a seething noise of one night stands. Then I thought it was only for other people because the music was too loud. Finally, with the party idea to help, I realized that what I wanted now was connection – even a few minutes connecting and conversing is valuable and worth the time spent. How many times do we leave a party satisfied because of a few marvelous one on one conversations?

To find those connection Julia told me to find and follow people I find interesting and who, therefore, would be interested in what I have to offer. And go ahead and have some fun (this was recommended by both these experts). Just as you have more fun discussing Renaissance Art instead of networking for your insurance business, a Twitter conversation about your favorite show or film may be just the connection you need.

Share the love. When we introduce people at a party we often say – hey, I think you’ll like Sue, she quilts just like you – we are part of the connections and will benefit even as we hook up our pals.

Like every advice column we’ve ever read, Twitter follows the age old trope of be interested in other people and they in turn, will find you flipp’n fascinating.

So limit how much you talk about yourself (As soon as you start over promoting your products, you web site and yourself, everyone else will stampede for the stuffed mushrooms). Share something, quote your friends, promote their books, it will make you look that much better.

I love a party, but if you don’t, then (staying with the party metaphor) Twitter maybe exactly the thing for you. You can take your time, respond when you want, and join conversations on your own terms. You don’t even need to worry about your hair.

Okay, one more question from Twitter for Authors; What does winning the social media game look like to you?

What does wining at a party or networking event look like? Is winning walking away with a date for the next night? Finding the perfect mate? Finding the perfect job or employee?

I think Beth makes a good point, if we don’t know what we’re after, it’s hard to get terribly involved or enthusiastic about the game.

So get Twitter for Authors, figure out what you want from Twitter and join the conversation. Talk to me, I’ll be looking for you.

@Cbramkamp

Beth will discuss her book and how to Tweet Better – on Newbie Writers Podcast Friday August 23rd. I can never keep track of what episode number it is. Just head to Newbie Writers.

I am migrating this blog to be part of NewbieWriters.com Until we have complete lift off, both blogs will publish simultaneously. Sorry Panda.

You are welcome to re-post this article in your own blog or newsletter – please include this entire statement, “Catharine Bramkamp is a Writing Coach and podcaster, find out if you’re ready to go from Newbie to Known visit http://www.yourbookstartshere.com or bramkamp@yahoo.com for a complimentary consultation.”

I now have seven Beta Readers. Lest you think, well, that’s not very many early readers, I remind you that I will be receiving feedback from seven different sources, all of whom may mark up the manuscript. That means pouring over seven new versions of my book. Seven is great, I’m not shooting for overwhelm, I’m shooting for concrete opportunities for improvement.

I did not just fire off the manuscript to the volunteer reader, I also included what I needed and what kind of feedback I was searching for.

This bunker in Albania inspired the bunkers in the book, Future Girl

Dear Beta Reader (or insert their actual name here, I promised to keep their anonymous in case the book was terrible and they wanted to avoid any association with it in order to protect their academic reputation.)

Thank you so very much for volunteering to be a beta reader for my book.

You are welcome to mark up the document and return it, or simply send me a few notes. (I wanted to give them a choice depending on how they approached a paper or manuscript, some of the volunteers are accustom to line editing and I welcome that feedback, but others may just want to make a list and send it off, that is welcome as well.)

Of course, what I need is feedback to improve the book, but I do ask that before completely ravishing the prose, do offer some initial encouragement, even if you only liked the font and found the margins pleasing. (Seriously, some people do not know how to give constructive feedback, help them. I do not want to open seven emails and be immediately assaulted by lists of negative comments, so I am working to protect my sometimes fragile ego ahead of time).

Please send feedback by July 19, 2013 (Give your readers a date, people work better on a deadline, it gives the project a finish time, and I will not be waiting on anyone in order to move forward with the fourth drat of the book)

Some questions to inspire your feedback:

Is the heroine, Charity, believable?

Do you care about her journey? (Remember this has been written, more or less for a YA audience)

How is the future? Did you discover inconsistencies in the invented world?

Thank you for your help! This is the first time I’ve reached out to Beta Readers and of course you will be acknowledged and publicly appreciated. Or if the book is horrible, I am equally happy to leave you out of it.

I reserve to use your comments on the show – Newbie Writer’s Podcast, but won’t use your name. (I produce a weekly podcast, of course we’ll discuss this process. If the feedback is particularly trenchant, I’ll interview the Beta Reader on the show, again, I have no wish to surprise people who are helping me).

I scheduled the beta reading project to take place while I was away on a trip. That helped prevent me from fussing and emailing my friends and family with “have you read it? How about now? How about NOW?” A distracted author means a happy reader.

Give it a try. Some authors have enormous followings and can solicit hundreds of readers for their upcoming books, some, like me, have a few readers. Either way, it’s worth the feedback, and will create some early buzz for the book.

Ironically, your Beta Readers will be some of your first customers, they will not only buy the finished product, they will be some of your best fans.

Remember that your Beta Readers are helping you out of love and/or loyalty, so remember to thank them. A lot. That’s what your acknowledgement page is for. And lucky you if your book ends up with a two page acknowledgement list!

Let me know when you try this and the results. I’ll discuss my own results when they come in.

You are welcome to re-post this article in your own blog or newsletter – please include this entire statement, “Catharine Bramkamp is a Writing Coach and podcaster, find out if you’re ready to go from Newbie to Known visit http://www.yourbookstartshere.com or bramkamp@yahoo.com for a complimentary consultation.”

I don’t belong to a writing group, so when I “finished” the third draft of my novel, Future Girl, I needed opinions, readers, feedback, anything. So I gathered a group of willing Beta Readers. These readers are not strangers, although strangers would be ever better, much like what Guy Kawasaki does, but for me, I needed to start small.

So I contacted 15 friends in the hopes of gathering up at least five readers.

Here is the email for the invitation.

Guy is a genius at soliciting early readers.

Hi,

I need your help, I just finished the third draft of my Young Adult Time-Travel novel, Future Girl (give my readers an idea of what the book is, because volunteering to read a text book is a different commitment than volunteering to read a copy for a thirty second video) and I need a couple (so the reader knows he or she is not alone) of Beta Readers (I like Beta Reader as opposed to copy editor, or proof reader – those are more difficult jobs and are better paid) to read the manuscript and tell me if it’s total crap or not.

If you choose to take on this project (the book is about 140 pages), I’ll send you the book in a Word doc so you can either mark it up, or save it as a PDF suitable for an e-reader. (Give them a choice as well as remind them they CAN transfer the copy to an e-reader).

I am asking for feedback – yeah or nay, by mid July (give them a rough due date in the invitation, the follow up letter will contain more instructions and a specific due date).

Interested? Let me know, and thank you ahead of time!

Very Best,

Catharine

(I included a summary of the book in the invitation as well, so again, the reader knows what he or she is getting into, they know what to expect – much like any reader – and it forced me to start thinking about how to summarize the book, something I will need to do over and over as I promote it.)

Future Girl

On February 10, 2112 Charity Northquest has her whole future ahead of her – and the future sucks.

On February 11 she is offered the chance to fix it.

When Charity’s best friend is reported killed, but then re- appears as an old woman, everything Charity has been taught is called into question. Even if she doesn’t believe, the village rebellion has already put her family in danger, so the ill-prepared Charity is transported back to a irresistibly appealing 21st century where she must not only struggle against the seduction of the past , but also the men who seem to help her.

Her single purpose of changing the future fades with the increasingly more urgent question, can she survive the past?

Within 24 hours, seven of the 15 requested Beta Readers volunteered to read the book, which was very encouraging! I immediately responded with the word doc manuscript and further ideas and instructions.

It’s a risk of soliciting Beta Readers is you must throw your baby outdoors, you must take your brilliant idea and make it real by the very act of handing it out. This is a huge step, congratulate yourself for doing it, for making the effort. And I’ll keep you posted on how my experiment works.

You are welcome to re-post this article in your own blog or newsletter – please include this entire statement, “Catharine Bramkamp is a Writing Coach and podcaster, find out if you’re ready to go from Newbie to Known visit http://www.yourbookstartshere.com or bramkamp@yahoo.com for a complimentary consultation.”

This helpful chart from Jane Freidman came across my email and I pass it along to you.

This is an easy way to compare the different options for book publishing. My caution is that publishing is a moving target, and what is true right now won’t be true in two years, or even in two months. But for now, I have Jane’s permission to forward this onto my readers. It should help!